BattleTech: A Time of War Quick-Start Rules (Free RPG Day 2012)

THE BATTLETECH RPG
™
T H E B AT T L E T E C H R O L E - P L AY I N G G A M E
A Time of War: The BattleTech Role-Playing Game™ is the onesource reference for rules governing the role-playing aspect of
the BattleTech universe. It includes a new system, designed from
the ground-up for both maximum flexibility and compatibility
with the Total Warfare series and its companion volumes, Tactical
Operations and Strategic Operations.
TM
TM
35005
the battletech rpg
GETTING STARTED
Jump into BattleTech with the following products that’ll have you tossing dice and marching across alien
worlds in no time!
PRODUCT
A Time of War: The BattleTech RPG
A Time of War: Gamemaster’s Screen
Masters & Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers
A Time of War Companion
MSRP
$49.99
$19.99
$44.99
$44.99
CATALOG NUMBER
CAT35005
CAT35005X
CAT35240
CAT35108
A time of wAr CompAnion
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A TIME
OF WAR
CLASSIC
BATTLETECH
THE BATTLETECH RPG
• CATALYST GAME LABS •
A technician’s job is never done.
“This is the Inner Sphere, thousands of planets colonized by
human-kind. Once, it was united under the Star League, but for the
last three hundred years, it has been consumed by savage wars….”
It is a universe at war. Even as mankind reached out to command the stars, the human lust for conflict and conquest could
not be overcome as easily as the distances of light years. Driven
by the dream of one day ruling all of humanity, mighty empires
formed, fell, and rose again. From the chaos of war arose the Star
League, the pinnacle of human civilization, a Golden Age where
a lasting peace and time of prosperity seemed possible at last.
But greed, ambition, and treachery combined to tear it all down
once more, plunging all of the worlds humans called home into
centuries of simmering conflict.
Power over billions now rests in the hands of those who can
claim noble blood, or the heritage of elite warriors. Generations
of warriors have done battle across countless worlds, fighting
for a dream long dead, perpetuating the cycle until few could
imagine any other way. The most elite among these warriors—
like modern-day knights in the neo-feudal realms that now hold
sway—are the MechWarriors, those who command the mightiest
war machines of the thirty-first century: BattleMechs.
The BattleTech universe is a realm of perpetual war between
interstellar dynasties and feuding Clans. It is a realm where mankind’s greatest enemy is mankind itself, where Byzantine politics
and war to the knife go hand-in-hand. It is a universe where the
flags and governments change with regularity on the border
worlds, and high-minded ideals like “honor,” “glory,” and “freedom”
are merely the catchphrases of ambitious warlords.
It is a universe where life is cheap, but BattleMechs are not.
Yeah. That’s the kind of crap they teach at those fancy House
military academies. I know. I attended one. Since the fall of the
original Star League, they’ve been preaching the supremacy of
MechWarriors over all, but it’s total bunk. They seem to want to
forget that every time one of those self-styled “new age knights”
climbs into their ten-meter avatars of death, someone has to do
the ground work before them, scouting the terrain ahead, clearing out any opposing spotters—or maybe even taking out some
of those self-important MechWarriors before they can don their
cooling vests and shorts for the big fight ahead.
Sure, the BattleMech may be the “king of the battlefield,” but no
king on any world you can name can survive very long without
the people who really make the universe work. So don’t let those
high-and-mighty academy trained ’Mech jocks fool you; at the
end of the day—in any time of war—any body can turn the tide
of battle.
Remember that, and you just may live to fight another day.
A UNIVERSE
IN FLAMES!
The year is 3077. The Word of Blake Jihad now raging is just
the latest in a long, tragic line of star-spanning wars that has consumed mankind since he first ventured into the infinite blackness
of space. For centuries, the Great Houses of the Inner Sphere—
Davion, Kurita, Marik, Liao, and Steiner—have vied for supremacy
in the name of the fallen legacy of the Star League, while secretive
sects like ComStar and the Word of Blake worked against them
from behind the scenes. Even the arrival of the mighty Clans—
sophisticated techno-warriors evolved from the remnants of the
great Star League’s regular army—failed to end the cycle of conflict between the so-called Successor States.
For a warrior like you, these are booming times, the stuff of
legend. You may fight for the banner of a House Lord as a soldier,
or for a paycheck as a mercenary, or even for the thrill of the
kill and the booty to be had as a pirate. You may do battle as a
MechWarrior, the pilot of a one-man avatar of walking death—
or as a high-flying aerospace fighter jock. You may be the covert
operative, skulking in the shadows, armed only with your wits
and an untraceable sniper rifle—or a death-defying battlesuit
pilot, braving instant death long enough to close in on an
enemy ’Mech and tear it open with your armored claws. Whether
you are noble-born or of far more “common” blood, a universe in
flames awaits your adventure. Choose your loyalties—and your
weapons—carefully!
3
WHAT IS A
ROLEPLAYING
GAME?
In a role-playing game (RPG, for short) a group of players gather
to assume the roles of characters in an adventure directed by
another player dubbed the gamemaster (or GM, for short). The
gamemaster manages the action of the story and controls the
opposition (often in the form of non-player characters—NPCs for
short), as well as providing the props, the setting, and any other
situations or obstacles the players’ characters may encounter.
Together with the gamemaster, the players create an intense and
interesting adventure for their characters to resolve (if they can).
The player characters (PCs) in A Time of War are operatives or
warriors from one of the many factions who constantly struggle
for dominance in the BattleTech universe. The statistics and information needed to run these characters effectively are noted on
the each character’s Character Record Sheet.
During the course of the game, the GM will describe the
events and surroundings to the other players, while those
players will attempt to navigate their characters
through the adventure. Periodically, the GM
may require a dice roll to resolve
a character’s actions,
using the rules to
determine the success (or failure) of
the attempted action
based on the dice roll
result, the character’s statistics, and any relevant
circumstances.
In a Time of War, the players roleplay within a war-torn BattleTech universe, where the fate of entire worlds can rest in the
hands of the few warriors who dare to seize their destiny.
QUICK-START RULES
We have specifically designed these quick-start rules (QSR) to
drop you straight into the fires of the thirty-first century in minutes! Read through these quick-start rules once. Then jump right
into your own adventures to practice what you’ve just learned.
Additional helpful information can be found along the sides
of each page, pointing out useful tips and tricks for both players
and gamemasters. These sidebars will also provide numerous
examples—using the pre-generated characters found at the end
of these quick-start rules—to demonstrate how the rules actually
work in game play.
For ease of reference, the first appearance of any important
term is bolded; such words will be used often through out the
rules and game play.
DICE
A Time of War uses a number of six-sided
dice (D6s) to resolve actions—normally
through Action Checks (pp. 5-7). A typical
action will require only two such dice per
player, but some Traits and other conditions
may warrant the addition of a third die to the
roll. For ease of reference, once players have
read the rules, we’ve included a dice icon next
to any rules that requires a dice roll.
CHARACTERS
A character in A Time of War is much like a character in a novel or
film, except the player (or GM, for non-player characters) controls
the character’s actions. Composed of a collection of attributes and
skills, a character has the personality the controlling player injects
into it.
CHARACTER RECORD SHEET
Character Record Sheets note the game statistics (numbers
and information) that allow the personality that a player has
interjected into his character to interact within the framework
of the game system. In other words, as you move, interact with
people and fight, all the information needed to resolve such
actions is tracked on the Character Record Sheet. The Character
Record Sheet also tracks damage done to your character during combat.
For these quick-start rules, pre- generated Character Record
Sheets have been provided, with all their game statistics already
noted, so players can immediately jump into the action. The
Character Record Sheet includes an illustration and short
description of the character, as well as all the game statistics
needed to play.
As players read through the various rules, they may find that
glancing at one of the pre-generated Character Record Sheets
after reading a particular section will enable them to better
understand how a given rule—such as attributes, skills and so
on—works.
ATTRIBUTES
Characters in A Time of War are described using three primary
categories of statistics. The first of these, Attributes, describes
the character’s raw physical and mental capabilities. Each character possesses eight Attributes values (called scores), which are
described as follows:
STR (Strength): As its name implies, this Attribute measures
the character’s raw muscle strength, affecting the amount of
weight he can lift and carry, and how much damage he can
deliver in melee combat. The higher a character’s STR score, the
stronger he is.
BOD (Body): A character’s BOD Attribute describes how sturdy
and “in shape” her physique is, measuring both the character’s
endurance and her ability to withstand physical damage. The
higher the character’s BOD, the longer she can manage to perform strenuous tasks or hold up in combat.
RFL (Reflexes): The RFL Attribute identifies the character’s
speed and reaction time. The higher a character’s RFL score is, the
faster he can cover ground or react to threats.
DEX (Dexterity): This Attribute describes the character’s fine
motor control and accuracy, and is often vital to every action
from operating a computer to using ranged weapons in combat.
Higher DEX scores define a character whose hands are steadier
and more reliable when handling anything from a surgeon’s scalpel or soldering gun to a high-powered pistol.
INT (Intelligence): As can be surmised, the INT Attribute measures the character’s brainpower and ability to reason. Higher INT
scores reflect sharper minds and better memory retention.
WIL (Willpower): A character’s WIL Attribute defines not only
his ability to “think for himself,” but also reflects on his ability to
ATTRIBUTES
i
Attribute scores are most commonly used as modifiers in
Attribute Checks—dice rolls used to determine a character’s
success based on a relevant physical Attribute. Since all modifiers are added to a roll, and the goal of any Action Check roll
is to equal or exceed a Target Number (TN), higher Attribute
scores improve the character’s chances of success.
Attribute scores in A Time of War tend to fall between 1 and
8, with truly exceptional specimens occasionally reaching as
high as 10 in some Attributes. An Attribute score of 4 thus
reflects the level of an “average” person.
command others or even rally his nerves and his body against
fear and physical exhaustion in tense situations. Characters with
higher WIL scores can potentially maintain consciousness even
when injured beyond the body’s normal tolerances, or resist the
effects of intimidation and demoralization.
CHA (Charisma): The essence of a character’s personality and
appeal, a character’s CHA Attribute measures how well her personality and manner can be used to influence those around her.
While not exactly an indicator of physical beauty per se, higher
CHA scores indicate a character who is more appealing or inspiring to others.
EDG (Edge): The EDG Attribute can be one of the character’s
most powerful allies in gameplay. Representing raw luck, EDG
points can be “burned” in gameplay to affect action rolls, or even
force a re-roll to give the character a chance of success (or give an
enemy the chance to fail) at a critical moment. Characters with
higher EDG scores have more luck on their side.
TRAITS
The second defining category for a character, Traits reflect other
characteristics that a character may possess that are not as easily
quantified with scores like Attributes, but instead reflect a little
“something extra.” Traits can be positive (beneficial to the character), or negative (a handicap of some sort) in nature.
Examples of typical positive Traits include the Attractive
(bestows physical beauty upon the character and can provide a
boost to social skills), Combat Sense (which reflects an intuitive
grasp of combat), Natural Aptitudes (granting a better-thannormal success rate with Skills), or Toughness (enables a character
to withstand damage better than another character of equal
Attributes) Traits. Typical negative Traits include Compulsion
(a personality quirk ranging from simple bad habits to outright
manias), Glass Jaw (unusual susceptibility to injury), Handicap (a
physical or mental impairment), and Unlucky (a Trait that acts as a
kind of “anti-EDG” against the character).
There is a broad range of Traits available to characters in A Time
of War, each of which possesses its own unique rules. For the purposes of these quick-start rules, these special rules will be briefly
described in the sample characters’ Character Sheets.
SKILLS
The final defining category for a character in A Time of War
is the character’s list of Skills. A character’s Skills represent
abilities she has been trained to use effectively. In a typical A
Time of War roleplaying session, characters will use their Skills
5
TRAITS
SKILLS
i
Traits are special-purpose characteristics that offer a range
of extra character abilities beyond the Attributes and Skills—
or can even serve as a potential plot hook. Many provide rules
that are special to a given situation or are specific to a certain
area of expertise, but others can be even more far-reaching.
It is ultimately up to the GM to decide if and when a character’s Trait is relevant enough to have an effect on a situation.
For example, a character with the Attractive Trait may get far in
trying to seduce a receptive NPC by banking on her looks and
flowery speech, but if the subject is blind (or has a peculiar
aversion to pretty girls), the GM could rule that the Attractive
Trait is negated by the subject’s blindness, or the subject’s
hostility toward pretty girls could produce an opposite effect
on the would-be seductress’ efforts.
to resolve actions far more often than they will use their Attributes or Traits.
The Skills used by characters in A Time of War receive four primary statistics: Target Number, Skill Complexity, Linked Attributes,
and Skill Level.
Target Number
The Target Number (TN) for a Skill is a numerical value that
identifies the base value any roll using that Skill must equal or
exceed to be successful (after modifiers are applied). Although the
Skill’s TN remains constant, conditional modifiers may affect the
final roll result in ways that may affect how easily a TN is reached
or exceeded.
Skill Complexity
A Skill’s Complexity is a letter code (S for Simple, or C for
Complex) that identifies how much concentration is required to
perform the Skill. Simple Skills can be executed quickly—almost
reflexively—while Complex Skills take longer and require greater
concentration on the character’s part.
Linked Attributes
Particularly high or low Attributes can affect the character’s
success in using the Skills to which they are related (or “Linked”).
Linked Attributes can provide permanent modifiers to any Skill
Checks they are linked to, or they may be used to identify the
Attributes that would be used when performing an Attribute
Check in the absence of a Skill.
Basic Skills (those that can be learned relatively quickly and with
a minimum of formal instruction) are linked to only one Attribute.
Advanced Skills (those that require institutionalized learning or
specialized instruction) use two Attributes.
As Linked Attribute modifiers represent effectively permanent
roll modifiers for a given Skill, the sample characters presented
with these quick-start rules will automatically factor in any applicable Linked Attribute modifiers to the Skill Levels.
Skill Level
As long as a character is trained in a Skill, the character is said
to have a Skill Level. Skill Levels may be any value from 0 to 10,
and are applied as a modifier to the roll result when attempting a
i
In gameplay, Skills will likely be your most commonly
used character features, in the form of Skill Action Checks.
The dice rolls for Skill Action Checks have lower TNs than
Attribute Checks, but apply Skill Levels in the same fashion
as Attribute Checks apply Attribute scores. (Linked Attributes can further enhance this, but only if the character’s
relevant Attributes are particularly exceptional.) Thus, as
with Attribute scores, higher Skill Levels improve the character’s chances of success when using the Skill.
Skill Levels in A Time of War will fall between a value
of 0 through 10. A Skill Level of 0 reflects a Skill that has
just been learned or is understood at the most basic level,
while a Skill Level of 10 indicates the complete knowledge
of a grand master.
A character is considered to be untrained in a Skill if
he does not even possess the Skill in his stats—even at
a Level of 0.
Skill Action. Higher Skill Level values thus indicate a greater proficiency with the Skill.
ACTIONS
In typical role-playing games, dice are not needed to resolve
mundane actions or any dialogue. Indeed, a good role-playing
session can be had with nary a die roll made, through interactive storytelling between the GM and the players. Still, in many
situations throughout an adventure, the outcome of a character’s
choices may rely on actions that can potentially fail. At times like
these, the GM will request an Action Check.
Action Checks in A Time of War come in two main forms:
Attribute Checks and Skill Checks. Attribute Checks are used to
resolve situations where none of the character’s Skills apply (or
where a skill applies that the character simply does not possess),
and where the outcome is determined more by the character’s
Attributes instead. Skill Checks, meanwhile, are used to resolve
any action where the character is using a Skill.
ATTRIBUTE CHECKS
Attribute Checks are used whenever the character’s Attributes
are being directly tested and no Skill applies to the situation, or
when the character simply lacks the proper training in the Skill he
is being asked to perform. Attribute Checks can be made against
one or two Attributes at a time, based on the nature of the situation.
For example, a character may be called upon to make a STR
(Strength) Attribute Check to see if he can lift a heavy object
off a friend, while another may be called upon to make an INT
(Intelligence) Attribute Check to see if she can recall an important
fact in a crunch. Alternatively, a character who has never received
formal training in the use of small arms—a Skill linked to the DEX
Attribute—could attempt to fire a pistol using a modified DEX
Attribute Check.
Examples of Attribute Checks using two Attributes include
using BOD and RFL to resolve the character’s success in a sporting
event, or DEX and INT to resolve the outcome of playing a holovid
game. Characters untrained in Gunnery Skills, which are linked to
the DEX and RFL Attributes, could also resolve these as a modified
Double Attribute Check using their DEX and RFL scores together.
Regardless of the Attributes called upon for an Attribute Check,
the Target Numbers are fixed at 12 for a single-Attribute Check,
and 18 for a Double Attribute Check.
ATTRIBUTE CHECK: IDENTIFY THIS!
A Hell’s Horses scientist with an INT score of 8, a WIL of 7, and
no practical training in biology has nonetheless been tasked
with identifying the carcass of a strange creature found in
the woodlands near his Clan’s newest enclave on a Periphery
backwater. The GM determines that obtaining the basics of
the creature’s physiology from its badly mutilated remains
(an Elemental apparently gunned it down with a volley from
his SRM launchers) and a complete lack of training in xenobiology is the equivalent of an untrained Skill Action Check,
thus making this effort a Double Attribute Check, based on the
scientist’s INT and WIL scores (which are Linked Attributes of
the typical Interest Skill).
The Attribute Check will thus have a TN of 18. Applied to the
roll are the following modifiers: +15 for the scientist’s relevant
Attributes (INT 8 + WIL 7), –5 for the difficulty (the GM rules the
identification of mangled remains “Extremely
Difficult,” given the circumstances), and
–4 for the lack of Skill Training, for a
total roll modifier of +6. In order
to roll 18 or better and successfully work out the nature of these
remains, our scientist would need
to roll a 12 (12 + 6 = 18).
SKILL CHECKS
Skill Checks are used in place of Attribute Checks w h e n ever a character is attempting to perform an action for which
she has received proper training or instruction. Skill Checks are
resolved in the same fashion as Attribute Checks, but receive
much lower Target Numbers as trained Skills. These Target Numbers vary slightly between Skills, based primarily on their relative
levels of complexity.
Skills are specifically focused, and so are used in more defined
situations than Attributes might be called upon. For example,
a character in a gunfight would rely on her Small Arms Skill to
make ranged weapon attacks with her pistol, rifle, or submachine
gun, but if an enemy manages to get in close, she would need her
Martial Arts Skill to battle the enemy hand-to-hand, or her Melee
Weapons Skill to use close-quarters weapons like knives, swords,
and staves.
A character may attempt to use a Skill that he has effectively
no training in, but doing so must be treated as an Attribute Check
instead, using the Attributes identified in the Skill’s Linked Attributes statistic. The Target Number for such Checks are the same
as for a standard Attribute Check.
SKILL CHECK: WE NEED RECON!
A mercenary communications tech with an INT score
of 7, a WIL of 5, and the Communications/Conventional
Skill (TN: 7; Complexity: S; Linked Attributes: INT; Skill
Level: +3) is trying to establish contact with a passing satellite in an effort to obtain some visual reconnaissance
for his company. The GM determines that neutral satellite
has a basic communications array that is foreign to the
comm.-tech’s equipment, but is not impenetrable, so he
assigns this task a modest level of difficulty (worthy of a
–3 roll modifier).
The Skill Check, as noted, has a TN of 7. Applied to the
roll are the following modifiers: +3 for the comm.-tech’s
Skill Level; +1for a Linked Attribute (INT) of 7; and –3 for
the difficulty, for a final roll modifier of +1. In order to
roll 7 or better and successfully tap into
the satellite’s comm. systems, our tech
would need to roll a 6 (6 + 1 = 7).
Of course, the GM reminds the
comm.-tech’s controlling player,
after accomplishing that
feat, he’ll need a separate
successful Cryptography Skill
Check to hack into the satellite’s
programming and obtain the
desired images…
OPPOSED ACTIONS
In some cases, direct opposition from another character will
affect the success of one character’s Action. Examples of this
include melee combat Actions or competitive sports. Such cases
are known as Opposed Actions, and may be resolved using the
same Attributes or Skills, or by Attributes and Skills that logically
oppose each other. For example, a simple arm-wrestling match
may see both characters making an opposed STR Attribute Check,
while another character—attempting to bluff his way through a
conversation about BattleMech design with an opposing tech
who knows his stuff—may pit his Acting Skill against his opponent’s Technician Skill.
In an Opposed Action, the winner is the character whose final
roll result succeeds by the greatest margin. If both characters in an
Opposed Action fail their Checks, neither one is the winner.
MAKING THE ROLL
Regardless of the nature of the Action Check, the procedure
is a simple matter of rolling dice (typically two six-sided dice, or
2D6), applying any prescribed modifiers to the roll, and comparing that result to the Target Number (TN). Success in an Action
Check occurs when the final modified roll result equals or exceeds
the Action’s TN.
The base TNs and modifiers that apply to each roll in basic
gameplay are described in the Basic Action Check and Action
Check Modifiers tables below. Attribute Checks apply the relevant
Attributes to the roll result, as well as any conditional modifiers
7
OPPOSED ACTION: KNOCK ‘EM BACK
In an effort to win over some rather rough-looking
“potential recruits” in a Solaris cantina, a mercenary
MechWarrior (BOD 7, and WIL 6) challenges their apparent leader to a drinking contest, hoping that her slight
build (belying her exceptional BOD score) will lure her
opponent (who the GM secretly gives a BOD of 8 and a
WIL of 6) into a false sense of security.
The GM declares that the outcome will be determined
by an Opposed Double Attribute Check, using the two
characters’ BOD and WIL to determine the outcome. Both
Checks will thus require a TN of 18 to succeed. The mercenary MechWarrior will apply her relevant Attributes to
the roll for a total modifier of +13 (BOD 7 + WIL 6), while
her opponent will receive a roll modifier of +14 (BOD 8
+ WIL 6).
The MechWarrior will need at least a result of 5 to meet
the TN for this Action Check, but because it is opposed
by her opponent (who needs a 4 to achieve the same
TN), the winner will not only be the one who successfully
makes the Check, but who makes it by the widest margin.
When the MechWarrior’s controlling player rolls a 10
(for a total of 23) and the GM—controlling her
opponent—rolls a 3 on his behalf (for a total
of 17), the GM determines that
not only has the mercenary
MechWarrior won the drinking
challenge, but the fact that
her opponent failed to
make his TN to boot
means that he passed
out in the process.
the GM deems fit (with positive modifiers reflecting better conditions—such as proper equipment when making repairs, or a
“home turf” advantage when playing a sport—while negative
modifiers reflect added difficulties, such as unstable footing or
poor lighting). Trained Skill Checks, meanwhile, apply the Skill’s
Level, any relevant Skill-Linked Attributes modifiers (provided in
the table for perspective, but automatically factored into the Skill
Levels of the sample characters provided with these quick start
rules), and any conditional modifiers the GM sees fit.
BURNING EDGE
The Edge (EDG) Attribute represents one of the most powerful
tools at the character’s disposal, but also one of the most precarious. In gameplay, a character may “burn” Edge (reducing
the Attribute’s score by 1 point for each Edge point
“burned”) by declaring his intention to do so either
before an Action roll (Attribute or Skill), or after
the roll.
The maximum number of Edge points a character can burn is
equal to the EDG score for that character. Edge can only be regenerated at the GM’s discretion (usually in return for accomplishing
good deeds or other such). Thus, players should use this special
Attribute with caution. Edge may only be burned once per Action
Check, and may only be burned to affect the outcome of Action
Checks made by or against the character who is burning Edge.
Edge cannot be burned on behalf of another player, or burned
repeatedly to force multiple rerolls for the same Action Check.
Before the Roll: Burning Edge points before a roll allows the
character’s controlling player to either add or subtract double the
number of Edge points spent as a roll modifier. This can dramatically increase the character’s chances of success in a critical Action
Check (or dramatically decrease an enemy’s chance of success).
As many of the character’s remaining EDG Attribute points may
be spent in this effort as the character has remaining. (So, for
instance, if a player announced that his character was spending
2 Edge points before his critical Small Arms Skill check is made
to shoot an enemy, that player could add a +4 modifier—2 EDG
points “burned” x 2 = 4—to the Skill Check roll.
After the Roll: Edge points burned after a roll can be spent in
two possible ways. The first is to modify the outcome of an Action
Check by applying the number of EDG points burned as a roll
modifier (so 2 EDG points burned this way can change an Action
Check result by plus or minus 2 points, as desired.
The second method is to “force a reroll,” either of the player’s
own recent Action Check roll, or of the enemy Action Check. This
method costs only 1 EDG point, but could (potentially) make it
possible for an even “better” result to occur.
NPCs and EDG: In most cases, regular NPCs will not burn EDG
points either before or after an Action Check (to avoid bogging
down gameplay). However, gamemasters may decide to give
important NPCs (whether friendly or hostile to the player characters) the ability to exercise their own EDG as necessary during
gameplay.
BURNING EDGE: EVERYONE FALLS
While attempting to escape armed security guards after a
botched break in at the Capellan embassy, a FedSuns covert
operative (with a RFL of 6 and an EDG of 5) finds himself running across a rooftop, heading toward another building. The
controlling player informs the GM that he intends to use the
operative’s Acrobatics Skill to leap across the two-meter divide
that separates the structures. With an Acrobatics Skill Level
of +3 and an Acrobatics TN of 7, the player is confident in his
operative’s success, especially after the GM assigns no difficulty
modifier to the effort.
But when the player rolls a 2—for a final roll result of 5—the
GM winces; it’s a good 30-meter drop to the hard ferrocrete in
the alley below, after all.
The covert operative player declares he will burn 2 points
of EDG to modify the failed Acrobatics Skill Check result by 2
points, enough to make that TN of 7 and complete the leap
safely (if not gracefully). This act reduces the operative’s EDG to
3. (Note: Had these EDG points been spent before the Acrobatics Skill Check roll was made, the impact would have been a +4
roll modifier before the fact, rather than a +2 modifier after.)
One of the pursuing guards still manages to get off a shot
and hits the operative as he completes his leap. Certain that
the wound will be severe enough to slow him down, and
unsure how many points the attack succeeded
by, the operative’s player tells the GM
that he wishes to burn another EDG
to force the guard to re-roll his
attack. The gambit pays off as
the guard’s second attack roll
results in a miss. The operative’s EDG is now down to 2
points.
“The televised debate did not go well, but I have a specialist I can call for damage control.”
9
BASIC ACTION CHECK TABLE
Basic Action Check Rolls
Action Check
Basic Action Checks (Attribute or Skill)
Dice Roll
2D6
Base Target Numbers
Action Check Type
Skill Check
Base TN
See Character
Samples
Attribute Check (Single Attribute)
12
Attribute Check (Double Attribute)
18
ACTION CHECK MODIFIERS TABLE
Attribute Check Modifiers
(Attribute Checks only)
Roll Modifier
Single Attribute
+Attribute Score
Double Attribute
+Sum of Both Attribute
Scores
Attempting Untrained Skill Check
–4
Skill Check Modifiers
(Skill Checks only)
Roll Modifier
All Skill Checks
+Skill Level
Link Attribute Value*
1
–2
2–3
–1
4–6
+0
7–9
+1
10
+2
Action Difficulty
and Special Conditions
Roll Modifier
General Action Difficulty (All Checks)
Very Easy
+3
Easy
+1
Average
+0
Difficult
–1
Very Difficult
–3
Extremely Difficult
–5
Vision-based Action Checks (Perception Skill)**
Target at Point-Blank Range
(less than 1 meter)
+1
Target at Short Range
(1 to 300 meters)
+0
Target is at Medium Range
(301 to 600 meters)
–2
Target is at Long Range (601 to
900 meters)
–4
Target at Extreme Range (over
900 meters)
–6
Miscellaneous Conditions (All Checks)
Character is Injured
DK
The Bounty Hunter and his iconic armor are feared throughout the Inner Sphere.
Character is Fatigued
–(Injury Modifier, see
p. 16)
–(Fatigue Points – WIL,
minimum 0)
*For simplicity, any relevant Link Attribute Modifiers that apply to the sample
characters in these Quick-Start Rules have been automatically added to the
sample characters’ Skill Levels.
**Applies primarily to Perception Skill Checks (other affected actions are at the
GM’s discretion). General Action Difficulty and Miscellaneous Conditions modifiers (for darkness, concealment, and so forth) may also apply.
COMBAT
In A Time of War, combat is resolved using a somewhat more
structured version of standard gameplay. In combat, actions
are resolved in brief, five-second intervals called turns. Each
turn follows a set sequence of phases, beginning with Initiative
phase (were turn order is determined), and ending with the
appropriately named End Phase (where the outcome of many
actions are resolved). Until a combat situation is resolved, the
End Phase of each turn is followed immediately by the Initiative Phase of the next.
INITIATIVE PHASE
In the Initiative Phase, each player rolls 2D6 to determine the
order in which the characters will act. Characters then act in the
order of the rolled results, with the character who had the highest Initiative roll acting first, followed by the character with the
next-highest result, and so on until the character with the lowest
Initiative roll acts last.
In the event of a tie, the character who acts first is the one with
the highest RFL score. If the RFL scores between tied characters
are the same, another Initiative roll will be required to resolve the
order of the tied characters alone.
The Initiative Phase always begins the combat turn.
INITIATIVE: ACHTUNG, BABY!
Two Free Worlds League scouts—one with a RFL score of 6
and the other a RFL score of 8—have infiltrated a Lyran base
and are passing through a maintenance corridor when they
come upon two LAAF MPs on a random patrol, one of whom
has a RFL of 5 and the other a RFL of 6. After the customary
shouts of “Halte!” by the Lyrans, the players controlling the
Marik scouts inform the GM that they have no intention of
doing so. Combat will ensue.
The GM calls for an initiative roll to begin the sequence. The
Free Worlds scout with the RFL of 6 rolls a 7 and his companion
rolls a 9. The Lyran MP with the RFL of 5 also rolls a 7, while
his partner rolls a 5. The first to act in this turn will thus be
the League scout who rolled the 9, followed by his partner
(although his partner’s roll tied with one of the Lyrans, the MP’s
RFL of 5 was outdone by the scout’s RFL of 6).
Presuming the MPs survive the
scouts’ actions, the next to
act will be the
Lyran with
the Initiative
roll of 7, followed
by his partner.
ACTION PHASE
In the Action Phase, the characters can navigate and interact
with the battlefield as desired (in accordance with their Initiative
order). The number of actions a character may perform, however,
is limited. The actions available in combat include Incidental
Actions, Simple Actions, and Complex Actions, and Movement
Actions.
The Action Complexity Table provides a basic guide to how
complex most common actions are considered in A Time of War.
Incidental Actions
Incidental Actions are those actions that require minimal concentration or effort, and can be combined with any other actions
performed in a turn. Examples of such actions include yelling out
a single-word warning, defending against a melee attack, or dropping to the ground.
A character may perform up to 5 Incidental Actions per turn.
Simple Actions
Simple Actions are those that require some concentration and
effort, but can be resolved quickly, such as firing a weapon, delivering a melee attack, operating a vehicle, or using a Simple Skill
that the character possesses.
A character may perform up to 2 Simple Actions per turn, but
may not combine them with Complex Actions.
Complex Actions
Complex Actions are those that require full concentration and
serious effort on the character’s part, and may take one or more
full turns to resolve. Examples include using a Complex Skill (with
or without training), attempting any Skill without training, or
using a complex device.
A character may perform only one Complex Action per turn,
and may not perform a Complex Action in conjunction with any
other Action type except Incidental Actions.
Movement Actions
These actions describe the character’s movement during a
turn, and can range from standing still to walking, running, or
even sprinting. A character must perform one (and only one)
Movement Action per turn (even if the movement is to remain
stationary).
How far a character can physically move in combat (measured
in meters) is based primarily on the character’s STR and RFL Attribute scores. Terrain and other obstacles, however, may reduce
these movement rates, reflecting the added time spent getting
around (or plowing through) such obstructions.
Movement Actions also count as Incidental, Simple, or Complex Actions, depending on the type of movement desired,
so players must balance their characters’ Movement Actions
accordingly.
11
ACTION COMPLEXITY TABLE
Incidental Actions
Non-Movement
Crouch/Sit Down/Stand Up
Drop Object
Drop Prone
Gesture
Leaping (Downward)
Melee Defense (except Breaking Grapple)
Observe Quickly (no Perception Skill)
Speak (Single Word)
Movement
No Movement
Walking
Simple Actions
Non-Movement
Jumping/Leaping (Upward or Horizontally)
Lead Team
Load Weapon
Melee Attack
Melee Defense (Breaking Grapple)
Observe in Detail (Perception Skill)
Pick Up/Put Down Object
Ranged Attack (Other than Supression Fire)
Ready/Draw Non-Crewed Weapon/Small Equipment
Recover from Stun
Speak (Brief Phrase)
Stow/Sheath Equipment
Use Simple Object
Use Simple Skill (Trained)
Movement
Climbing (with Climbing Skill)
Crawling
Running
Swimming (with Swimming Skill)
Complex Actions
Non-Movement
Careful Aim
Extinguish Fire
Ranged Attack (Suppression Fire)
Ready Large Equipment/Crewed Weapon
Recover Fatigue
Speak (Conversation)
Spot for Indirect Fire
Use Complex Object
Use Complex Skill
Use Untrained Skill
Movement
Climbing (without Climbing Skill)
Evading
Sprinting
Swimming (without Swimming Skill)
MOVEMENT RATES TABLE
Movement Mode
Base MPs (Meters per Turn)
Walking
(STR + RFL)
Running*
10 + (STR + RFL) + (Running
Skill Level)
Sprinting*
(Run MP) x 2
Special Movement Modes
Climbing*
[(Walk MP) ÷ 2]** + (Climbing
Skill Level)†
Crawling*
[(Walk MP) ÷ 4]**
Evading*
Run MP
Swimming*
(Walk MP) + (Swimming Skill
Level)†
*The movement modes generate Fatigue during the end Phase of the turn (see End
Phase Fatigue, p. 16)
**Round up to nearest meter
†Half movement (round down to nearest meter) if character has no appropriate Skill
RESOLVING ACTIONS IN COMBAT
In personal combat, resolving most Actions works in the same
way as it does in standard gameplay. For most Actions—particularly Incidental Actions, movement, and speech—no rolling is
generally required. Skill use and Attribute Checks may still occur
as needed, however, particularly if the character is attempting
an attack or attempting to defend against a melee attack.
If the Skill or Attribute Check is required for non-combat actions
(such as use of a non-combat Skill like Computers), the Action
Check roll will work in the same fashion as under standard gameplay action. At most, such actions may simply receive additional
difficulty modifiers at the GM’s discretion, to reflect the chaos of
working under fire.
Combat-specific actions—such as ranged weapon or melee
attacks—receive a more structured set of modifiers and rules,
as described below. As with non-combat gameplay, attempts to
use a Skill the character does not possess must be treated as an
appropriate Attribute Check instead.
Ranged Combat
Any attack made against targets a meter or more away from
the attacking character is referred to as a ranged weapon attack.
Ranged attacks are typically made using ranged combat weapons
such as bows, firearms, and support weapons, but thrown weapons like shuriken and grenades also fall into this category.
Ranged Attacks are resolved by the attacking character as a
Skill Check appropriate to the weapon being used. For example, a
character attempting to shoot an opponent using a pistol would
use her Small Arms Skill, while another character attempting to
strike his opponent with a throwing knife would use the Thrown
Weapons Skill.
A ranged attack Action will have the same TN as appropriate
for the character’s Skill, and applies the character’s relevant modifiers for Linked Attributes and Skill Levels, but must also include
modifiers for attack range, target and attacker movement, and
any appropriate terrain or environmental conditions. These modifiers are shown in the Combat Modifiers Table (see p. 13). If the
modified roll still manages to meet or exceed the Skill’s TN, the
attack succeeds, and the target will take damage. If the roll fails,
the attack misses.
Whether or not the attack succeeds, making an attack using
ranged combat weapons expends ammunition, which should be
tracked at all times.
RANGED COMBAT: DARK ALLEY
A mercenary bounty hunter, armed with a Sternsnacht Python Autopistol (Ranges (Short/Medium/Long/
Extreme): 5 meters/15 meters/40 meters/80 meters) finds
herself led into a dark alley by her fleeing quarry. Now out
of the public eye, she decides to end the merry chase by
shooting her fleeing target, who is now 10 meters ahead
of her. Her Small Arms Skill Level is +4, and her DEX Attribute score is 7.
The TN for the Small Arms Skill is 7. To determine the
modifiers to the roll, the GM assesses the following conditions: the hunter’s Small Arms Skill Level (+4); her linked
DEX Attribute is 7 (+1); the distance between the bounty
hunter and her target puts her weapon at medium range
(–2); she is running (–2); her target is also running
(–2); the attack is coming from behind
the target (+1). The final roll modifier
is thus +0 (4 + 1 – 2 – 2 –2 +1 = 0),
so her attack will hit on a roll of 7 or
higher.
Squeezing off the shot, the
bounty hunter’s controlling
player manages to roll an 8.
The hunter’s shot hits the target.
Melee Combat
Any attack made against targets less than a meter away is considered to be a melee attack. Melee attacks are typically delivered
in hand-to-hand combat, or using melee weapons such as swords,
maces, or even empty ranged combat weapons, but these rules
also apply to ranged weapon attacks made at less than a meter’s
range.
Melee combat is resolved as an Opposed Action Check between
the attacking character and his opponent (the defender). The
attacker’s melee attack is resolved as a Skill Check using the appropriate Skill Check based on the weapon being used, while the
defender resolves his defense using an equally appropriate Skill
Check. For example, a knife-wielding attacker attempting to stab
an unarmed defender, would use the Melee Weapons Skill, while
his opponent would likely use Martial Arts to ward off the attack.
Both Skill Checks will possess the normal TNs appropriate
for their use, but must also include modifiers for any target and
attacker movement (as shown in the Combat Modifiers Table, see
p. 13). As with a normal Opposed Action Check, the winner is the
player whose modified roll meets or exceeds the action’s TN by the
widest margin. If the attacker wins, he will deliver the full amount of
melee damage to the defender. If the defender wins, he will deliver
half his normal melee damage (round down) to the attacker.
Grapples and Subduing Damage: At the attacker’s option, an
unarmed melee attack (and some melee weapon attacks) can be
declared as a Grapple or Subduing damage attack, rather than a
standard attack.
A Grapple attack reflects the attacker’s intent to restrain the
target without causing damage and—if successful—effectively
renders the target immobilized (unless the target can break free
with an opposed Martial Arts Skill Check or the attacker releases
him). No damage is caused by the attacker in a successful
Grapple melee.
MELEE COMBAT: FACE-TO-FACE
His BattleMech crippled by enemy fire, a Capellan MechWarrior ejects in the hope of avoiding capture by enemy
infantry. Armed with only a dao sword, a Melee Weapons
Skill of +3, and a DEX of 6, he uses the rocks, rubble, and
smoke to make his way toward friendly lines. He is scarcely
100 meters from his fallen machine when he is challenged
by a FedSuns trooper, but luck is with him when the Davion
soldier’s rifle misfires at close range.
Close enough to walk to the enemy, the Capellan
decides to close in and use his dao before the “FedRat”
can go for another weapon or clear his rifle’s jam. The GM
decides that the enemy soldier will drop the useless rifle
and rely on his Martial Arts Skill of +2 to defend against
the Capellan. The TN for the Capellan’s Melee Weapons
Skill is 7, and so is the TN for the FedSuns soldier’s Martial
Arts Skill. For the Capellan, the modifiers to the attack
include his Melee Weapons Skill Level (+3), and the Walking movement he needed to use in order to close the
distance (–1), for a total modifier of +2. For the FedSuns
soldier, the modifiers are +2 for his Martial Arts Skill, and
–1 for the Capellan’s Walking movement, for a final roll
modifier of +1.
The Capellan player rolls a 5, and adds +2 for a final
result of 7—just enough to make the TN for his Melee
Weapon attack a success. The Davion trooper,
meanwhile, rolls a 7, and applies his +1 modifier for a total of 8, making the Martial Arts
Skill Check by 1. Because the
Davion trooper succeeded by a
wider margin (1 point versus the
Capellan’s 0), he will be the one
to inflict damage in this melee.
But because he was defending
against the attack, rather than
initiating it, his damage will be only
half strength.
13
COMBAT MODIFIERS TABLE
BASIC COMBAT TARGET NUMBERS
Target Number (TN)
Combat Action Check
Ranged Attack
Appropriate ranged weapon Skill TN
Melee Weapons Attack (and Defense)
Appropriate melee weapon Skill TN
Martial Arts Attack (and Defense)
Martial Arts Skill TN
BASIC COMBAT MODIFIERS
Conditional Modifiers
Roll Modifier
Range (Ranged Combat Only)
Conditional Modifiers
Roll Modifier
Movement (Ranged and Melee Combat)
Point-Blank Range
+1
Attacker Walking
–1
Short Range
+0
Attacker Running/Crawling/Swimming
–2
Medium Range
–2
Attacker Jumping/Gliding/Flying
–3
Long Range
–4
Target Moved 10–45 meters
–1
Extreme Range
–6
Target Moved 46–75 meters
–2
Target Moved 76–105 meters
–3
Cover (Ranged Combat Only)
Light Cover (Target 5–25% concealed)
–1
Target Moved 106–150 meters
–4
Moderate Cover (Target 26–50% concealed)
–2
Target Moved 151+ meters
–5
Heavy Cover (Target is 51–75% concealed)
–3
Target Evading
–(Target’s Acrobatics Skill)
Full Cover (Target is 76–100% concealed)
–4
Target Jumping/Gliding/Flying
–2
Other Characters in Line of Fire
–1
Target Crawling/Prone
–1
Target Immobile
+4
Target Size (Ranged and Melee Combat)
Monstrous (Ex: Whale, DropShip)
+5
Very Large (Ex: Elephant, BattleMech)
+3
Attacker Fatigued (see Damage Effects)
–(Fatigue points – WIL)*
Large (Ex: Horse, battle armor, ground car)
+1
Attacker Injured (see Damage Effects)
–(Injury Modifier, see p. 16)
Medium (Ex: Adult human, refrigerator)
+0
Small (Ex: Young child, coffee table)
–1
Target Stunned/Surprised
+2
Very Small (Ex: Dog, desktop computer)
–2
Attacking from Behind
+1
Extremely Small (Ex: Cat, book)
–3
Using “Off Hand”
–1
Tiny (Ex: Mouse, micro-communicator)
–4
Attacker Actions/Conditions (Ranged and Melee Combat)
Miscellaneous Conditions (Ranged and Melee Combat)
Additional Melee Combat Modifiers (Melee Combat Only)
Attacker Stunned/Surprised
–6
Friendly Character in Melee with Target
+2
Crawling/Prone Target in Melee Range
+2
Using Ranged Weapon in Melee Combat
–2
Attempting to Grapple (Attacker Only)
–1
Grappling Attacker vs. Grappled Target
+2**
Grappled Target vs. Grappling Attacker
+1**
*If Fatigue is less than WIL, no modifier applies **Only applicable after a Grapple attack succeeds
A Subduing damage attack works like a normal melee attack,
but will deliver Fatigue points, rather than standard damage
points, to the target. See Subduing Damage (p. 15), for more
information.
DAMAGE
Once an attack is successfully delivered, damage is applied to
the target, the nature and extent of which varies with the weapon.
These rules presume that a character suffers damage as a result of
combat. However, characters in non-combat situations are just as
susceptible to damage from other sources (such as falling), and
so these rules apply to both combat and non-combat situations.
Damage Notation
All damage a combatant may sustain is described by using two
values. The first—the Armor Penetration (AP) factor—reflects the
damage’s armor-defeating capability. The second value—the
Base Damage (BD) factor—is shown in parentheses and indicates
the base number of damage points the weapon will deliver on a
successful attack.
All weapons receive these basic values in their stats (as provided in the sample characters included with these quick-start
rules, pp. 19-22), while other damage sources (such as unarmed
melee combat and falling damage) receive their own damage
notation based on the situation.
For example, the damage from a Gunther MP-20 Submachine
Gun is listed as “AP: 4, BD: 3,” which indicates that it has an armorpenetration (AP) rating of 4, and delivers 3 base damage (BD)
points. The Automatic Shotgun, meanwhile, has a listing of “AP: 2,
BD: 5,” which describes a weapon with an AP of 2 that delivers 5
damage points per hit.
Note: For the purposes of these quick-start rules, special
weapon types (such as Energy, Ballistic, and Explosives), as well
as special weapons effects (such as Area-Effect, Burst-Fire, and
Continuous Damage), have been left out. Subduing damage
attacks—the only exception—will be noted by the letter “D”
alongside the attack’s BD factor.
Standard Damage vs. Fatigue
In personal combat, damage comes in two primary types: standard damage, and Fatigue. Standard damage, the default damage
type, reflects actual physical—and potentially lethal—injuries.
Fatigue reflects exhaustion and minor bruising damage or other
non-lethal injuries (often called Subduing damage). Unless an
attack or weapon specifies otherwise, all damage sustained in
personal combat is presumed to be standard damage.
Ranged Attack Damage
The number of damage points delivered by a successful ranged
weapon attack is equal to the weapon’s listed Base Damage factor.
Armor Effects: Unless specifically noted otherwise, a ranged
attack will be affected by any armor the target is wearing. (See
Armor Effects, below).
Melee Attack Damage
Unless otherwise specified (such as when wearing special
gloves), the Armor Penetration factor of an unarmed melee
attack is presumed to be 0. If a melee weapon is used, the Melee
weapon’s AP is applied instead.
DAMAGE: BULLET HOSE
A Lyran soldier, firing his trusty Gunther MP-20 submachine gun (BD of 3) hits his target in
the midst of a heavy firefight. The
attack delivers 3 points of damage to the target.
The number of damage points delivered by a successful melee
attack (including damage from melee weapons) is equal to 1
point for every 4 points of the attacking combatant’s STR score
(rounded up), plus the Base Damage factor of any melee weapons
used in the attack.
Armor Effects: Unless specifically noted otherwise, a melee
attack will be affected by any armor the target is wearing. (See
Armor Effects, below).
Fatigue
Some damage and actions cause Fatigue, instead of (or even in
addition to) standard physical damage. Fatigue points represent
minor wounds, exhaustion, and other factors that can potentially
take a character out of commission without killing her. Because it
is less immediate than physical damage, Fatigue damage is usually
recorded in the End Phase of a turn, rather than as a direct result
of combat. Subduing Damage (see below) is a special exception
to this rule, representing the effect of non-lethal attacks intended
to incapacitate a character more quickly.
DAMAGE: SWORDPLAY
Despite being caught weaponless, a DCMS scout
with a STR score of 6 successfully delivers a melee attack
against a cocky Lyran soldier using her Martial Arts Skill.
The attack will deliver 2 points of damage to the Lyran,
thanks to the scout’s STR (STR 6 ÷ 4 = 1.5, round up to 2).
In the following turn, the scout manages to draw
her katana (weapon damage notation: “AP: 2, BD: 2”)
and—this time using her Melee Weapons
Skill—delivers another successful
melee attack with the blade. This
time, the successful attack
delivers 4 points of damage: 2
points from the sword’s BD factor, plus 2 more for the scout’s
STR (6 ÷ 4 = 1.5, round up to 2).
15
Any time a character suffers standard damage, the character
will receive 1 Fatigue point. Other Fatigue causes include Subduing damage (described below) or moving/taking actions while
encumbered, extended physical effort (such as a long march).
Armor Effects: Unless Fatigue points are delivered specifically
by an attack—such as Subduing Damage, described below—armor
will have no effect on a character’s Fatigue.
Subduing Damage
Attacks that deliver Subduing damage (typically including
non-lethal melee attacks and special weapons with a “D” noted in
their Base Damage values) deliver their damage as Fatigue points
instead of standard damage points and apply a Stun effect as well
(see Stun, below).
Stun
Any time a character suffers standard damage or Fatigue damage from a Subduing Damage attack, the character will also suffer a
special “stun” effect in addition to any other damage. A stunned character may take no actions until the Stun effect is shaken off, which
requires a Simple Action (but no Action Check).
A character may only be stunned or not stunned. Additional
stunning attacks delivered to a character who is already stunned
produce no further effects.
Armor Effects: Armor has no effect against Stun effects unless
it completely absorbs any accompanying damage (in which case,
the stun also does not occur).
ARMOR: CAN’T HURT ME!
An ejected LAAF MechWarrior, wielding a combat
knife (AP: 1, BD: 1) and wearing a MechWarrior Combat Suit (BAR: 4) is racing through an urban battlefield.
A FedSuns infantryman with a Serrik Arms 7875D
Auto-Pistol (AP: 3, BD: 3) spots him and manages a
successful attack using his Small Arms Skill. The hit
would ordinarily inflict 3 points of damage on the
Lyran MechWarrior, but his combat suit’s BAR value of
4 reduces this by 1 point (BAR 4 – AP 3 = 1) to 2 points
of standard damage. Because the MechWarrior actually suffered damage, he also receives 1 Fatigue point.
Enraged, the MechWarrior manages to close in on
the Davion trooper in the following turn, and delivers
a successful knife attack using his Melee Weapons. The
LAAF warrior is pretty strong (STR of 7), so his attack
delivers a total of 3 points (2 from STR, plus 1 from
the knife) at an AP of 1. The trooper,
however, is wearing Ablative/
Flak armor (BAR: 4), which
absorbs all 3 points from the
attack (BAR 4 – AP 1 = 3) so
he receives no damage or
Fatigue whatsoever, and the
Lyran is now at point-blank
range…
DAMAGE: SWEET DREAMS!
A Kuritan DEST trooper with a neural lash (AP: 0, BD:
5D) has snuck up on an unsuspecting Davion guard.
Delivering a successful attack with her Melee Weapons
Skill, the DEST trooper inflicts 5 Fatigue points upon
the guard, and stuns him. In addition to the
Fatigue effects, the Davion guard
will need to recover from the stun
effect before he can respond to
this surprise attack.
ARMOR EFFECTS
The Armor Penetration (AP) factor of an attack corresponds to
the Barrier Armor Rating (BAR) of any personal armor the target
is wearing. If the BAR of the target’s armor is higher than the
AP factor of the attacking weapon, reduce the Base Damage of
the weapon by the difference between the armor’s BAR and the
weapon’s AP (to a minimum of 0 points).
RECORDING DAMAGE
Each Character Sheet includes a Condition Monitor Block that
is used to track the character’s overall health, particularly during
combat. Damage and Fatigue are tracked using the bubbles in the
character’s Damage Tracker field.
Damage Capacity
The first row of bubbles on the Damage Tracker measures the
character’s Damage Capacity, the number of points of standard
damage the character can sustain before dying. Most characters
receive 2 bubbles of Damage Capacity per point of BOD Attribute.
Fatigue Capacity
The second row of bubbles on the Damage Tracker measures
the character’s Fatigue Capacity, the number of points of Fatigue
damage (including Subduing damage) the character can sustain
before losing consciousness. Most characters receive 2 bubbles of
Fatigue Capacity per point of WIL Attribute.
Stun Effect
A single bubble is used to mark whether or not the character
is stunned.
DAMAGE EFFECTS
Based on the nature and type of damage the character sustains,
the effects can dramatically affects the character’s performance as
described below:
Standard Damage
If a character suffers more standard damage points than there
are bubbles on the character’s Damage Capacity line, the character is killed.
Injury Modifiers: Furthermore, for every amount of damage
points suffered equal to 25% of the character’s total damage
DAMAGE: MERC IN A BARREL
An uninjured mercenary infantryman with a BOD of 7
and a WIL of 6 is in the thick of a fierce jungle battle when
he comes under heavy fire from two Capellan guerillas.
His stats also give him a Walking rate 13 meters per turn, a
Running rate of 23 meters per turn, and a Sprinting rate of
46 meters per turn.
The first guerilla manages to score a solid hit with an
Imperator AX-22 assault rifle (AP: 4, BD: 4) that loses only 1
point of damage to the mercenary’s BAR 5 flak armor. The
mercenary thus suffers 3 points of standard damage—the
equivalent to 21% of his total damage capacity of 14, as
well as a 1 Fatigue point. Because the damage is 25% or
less of the mercenary’s total capacity, he will suffer an
Injury Modifier of –1 to all rolls after taking this hit, and will
also lose 1 meter of Walking and Running movement (as
well as 2 meters of Sprinting, after calculations), giving him
a new Walk of 12, Run of 22, and Sprint of 44.
Further, because the damage was standard, the mercenary must make a Consciousness Check. This Check has a
TN of 7, and a +0 Link Attribute modifier for his WIL score.
In addition, the roll receives a –1 Injury Modifier, for a final
modifier of –1. With a roll of 9, the mercenary remains
conscious (9 – 1 = 8, which exceeds the TN of 7).
The second Capellan—armed with a Minolta 9000
sniper rifle (AP: 5, BD: 4)—also hits our hapless mercenary,
delivering the weapon’s full 4 points of damage despite
the merc’s body armor (plus one more Fatigue point). The
mercenary has now sustained 7 points of total standard
damage, which is enough for a –2 Injury Modifier (–1 for
every 25% or fraction thereof; 7 ÷ 14 = 0.5, or 50%),
and a –2 meters-per-turn effect on
his Walking and Running movement
rates.
Once again, the mercenary must
make a Consciousness Check.
Only this time, the Injury
Modifier is –2 (–2 for 50% of
damage capacity x 2) +0 for
WIL. To make a TN of 7 now, the
mercenary’s controlling player
must roll a 9 or better.
capacity (or fraction thereof ), the character will suffer a –1 Injury
Modifier applied to all Consciousness and Action Check rolls. This
same modifier is applied to the character’s Walking and Running
Movement Rates, with all other movement rates recomputed
accordingly (rounding any fractions down), and is also applied to
any MedTech or Surgery Skill Checks used by friendly character’s
to treat the injured character’s wounds.
Excess Damage: As noted earlier, a character dies immediately
upon sustaining more standard damage than he has points of
Damage Capacity.
Fatigue
If a character suffers more Fatigue points than there are
bubbles on the character’s Fatigue Capacity line, the character is
knocked unconscious and any leftover Fatigue points are applied
as standard damage. Furthermore, for every point of Fatigue
the character suffers in excess of the character’s WIL score, a –1
Fatigue modifier must be applied to the character’s Action Check
rolls, Consciousness rolls, and Movement Rates.
Excess Fatigue: If a character’s current total of Fatigue points
received (including those most recently inflicted) exceeds the
character’s Fatigue capacity, the character will automatically fall
unconscious. Any damage beyond the character’s Fatigue Capacity will apply as standard damage.
Stun
If a character’s Stun bubble is marked, the character is considered to be Stunned. The Stun bubble can only be cleared when
the character spends a Simple Action to “shake off” the Stun
effect. Until then, the character cannot act and is considered a
stationary target.
Consciousness
Every time a character sustains standard damage or Fatigue
from a Subduing attack, there is a chance the character may fall
unconscious. In such a case, the character must make a successful
Consciousness Check immediately upon suffering such damage
to avoid falling unconscious.
The Consciousness check has a flat TN of 7, and applies any
Injury or Fatigue modifiers sustained by the character at the time
of the roll. In addition, the character’s Link Attribute modifier for
his WIL score will also apply. If the modified roll does not equal or
exceed a value of 7, the character immediately falls unconscious.
SPECIAL TRAIT EFFECTS
Certain character Traits can have an impact on the character’s
performance in combat. Injuries and Fatigue, for example, are
affected by the Glass Jaw, Toughness, Fit, and Handicap Traits,
while Initiative is affected by the Combat Sense and Combat
Paralysis Traits. These effects are noted on the sample character
sheets provided, for player reference.
END PHASE
In the End Phase of combat, any additional effects on the characters’ Fatigue are assessed, along with consciousness checks
by any characters who were knocked out in a previous turn. As
the term implies, the End Phase always indicates the end of the
combat turn. After resolving all relevant Fatigue and consciousness matters, gameplay will resume with the next turn’s Initiative
Phase as long as combat continues.
17
FATIGUE: ILL-GOTTEN GAINS
Already weighed down by a heavy load of fresh-stolen
booty, a dismounted pirate MechWarrior with a BOD of 7
and a WIL of 5 has already accumulated 3 Fatigue points
during a run through the streets of a battle-ravaged city
toward his waiting ’Mech. As he rounds the corner, he
stumbles upon an irate Capellan riot cop armed with a
Ceres Arms Crowdbuster (AP: 0, BD: 5D).
The Capellan scores a solid hit with the weapon
(which, as a subduing weapon, delivers Fatigue points,
rather than standard damage). But because of the BAR
2 cooling vest the pirate is wearing, the attack is reduced
by 2 points, and thus the attack inflicts only 3 points of
Fatigue, rather than its full 5-point potential. Still, combined with the 3 Fatigue points he already accumulated,
the pirate now finds himself at 6 Fatigue (and Stunned).
Furthermore, because his total number of Fatigue exceeds
his WIL, the pirate will now suffer a –1 Fatigue Modifier on all
Actions (WIL 5 – Fatigue 6 = –1), including the Consciousness Check he must now make in order to remain conscious
against a Subduing attack. This Consciousness Check has a
TN of 7, and a roll modifier of –1 (+0 for his unremarkable
WIL score, and –1 for his current Fatigue Modifier). To stay
in the fight, the pirate’s controlling player must roll an 8 or
better.
Rolling an 11, the pirate’s controlling
player finds that his character is
still awake—albeit stunned now.
He will need to spend a Simple
Action to shake off the stunning effects, which may limit
his options in the closequarters fighting that’s sure
to follow this encounter.
End Phase Fatigue
During the End Phase of a combat turn, any Fatigue that does
not originate from damage will take effect. This covers both the
increase of Fatigue from extended activities like moving while
encumbered or exhaustion from other environmental sources
(such as blistering heat), as well as the recovery of Fatigue points
(which a character may accomplish using a Complex Action).
Accumulating Fatigue: For the purposes of these quick-start
rules, additional Fatigue will accumulate in the End Phase at a rate
of 1 point per turn if the character used Sprinting Movement, had
to make a STR Attribute Check, or used Running movement while
Encumbered during the turn.
Fatigue will also accumulate at a rate of 1 point per every 2
consecutive turns that the character uses Climbing, Crawling,
Evading, or Swimming movement.
Characters using Running movement while unencumbered, or
using any movement except standstill while carrying or wearing
any equipment noted as “Encumbering,” will also accumulate
1 Fatigue point if they continue such activity for a number of
consecutive turns equal to their BOD scores. (Thus, if a character with a BOD of 5 is carrying encumbering equipment, he will
gain a point of Fatigue every time he spends 5 continuous turns
in motion, even if he’s just walking; the same will happen to an
unencumbered BOD 5 character who spends 5 consecutive turns
Running.)
Recovering Fatigue: A conscious character may opt to take a
turn to rest and recover Fatigue points. This is considered a Complex Action, however, so the character recovering Fatigue may not
make any attacks or perform any action not classed as Incidental
in the same turn. Recovering Fatigue clears a number of Fatigue
points equal to the character’s BOD score (or simply clears out all of
the character’s accumulated Fatigue, if the character has suffered
less total Fatigue than the character’s BOD score). Standard damage
points (even those resulting from excess Fatigue) are not cleared by
recovering Fatigue.
End Phase Consciousness
A character rendered unconscious in previous turns may
attempt to regain consciousness during the End Phase of the current combat turn. This requires a successful Consciousness Check
FATIGUE: NIGHTY-NIGHT
A ComStar adept with a BOD of 6 and a WIL of 7 has
been rendered unconscious in the midst of a fight with
an armed gang. He has suffered a total of 4 points of
standard damage and 9 points of Fatigue as a result
of the assault. After spending a turn unconscious, the
adept’s controlling player makes an attempt to regain
consciousness, while the adept’s compatriots beat
back the thugs.
Because he has sustained 4 points standard damage out of his capacity of 12, the adept will suffer a
–2 Injury modifier (for having sustained more than
25% of his damage capacity, but less
than 50%). The 9 points of Fatigue
damage—4 points more than his
WIL score—will apply a –4 Fatigue
modifiers as well. His WIL, which
has a +1 Link Attribute modifier,
will also apply to this roll, resulting in a final modifier of –5 (–2
for Injury –4 for Fatigue +1 for
WIL = –5). Only on a maximum
roll result of 12 would the adept
would manage to meet the TN
of 7 needed to regain consciousness, but even though he fails
this turn—on a roll of 8—he will
still recover 1 point of Fatigue
while remaining out cold.
with the same Injury and Fatigue Modifiers applied as would be
for the character’s current damage (see Damage Effects, p. 16).
Characters rendered unconscious in the current turn cannot
attempt to regain consciousness until the next turn’s End Phase.
While unconscious, a character will recover 1 Fatigue point
per turn.
SPECIAL ADDENDUM (VEHICLES)
To integrate vehicular combat (including battle armor, ProtoMechs, Combat and Support Vehicles, and BattleMechs) to a
game of A Time of War, bear in mind the following:
• All vehicles have a size rating when attacked by dismounted
characters (such as conventional infantry). Battle Armor,
vehicles under 5 tons in weight, and prone BattleMechs are
all considered Large-sized targets; ProtoMechs, ’Mechs, and
Combat and Support Vehicles 5 tons or heavier are considered Very Large Targets; any aerospace craft over 300 tons,
airships of any weight, DropShips, or large naval vessels
weighing 500 tons or more is considered Monstrous.
• Operating any vehicular unit in combat requires the necessary Piloting (or Driving Skill), while an appropriate Gunnery
Skill is required to operate any weapons mounted on the
vehicle.
• If a vehicular unit inflicts any damage to a character, each
point of vehicular-scale damage has the following ratings in
A Time of War (AP: 10, BD: 6)
• If a character inflicts any damage to a vehicular unit, and the
vehicular unit has no stated BAR rating, presume it to have a
BAR of 10. If any damage passes through this in accordance
with the standard rules for personal combat weapons vs.
armor, the damage inflicted on the vehicular unit will be
equal to the remaining damage after armor effects, divided
by the vehicle’s BAR (round down).
• Because a single vehicular combat turn happens in 10 seconds and a single combat turn in A Time of War takes only 5,
vehicular units can only fire their heavy weapons once every
other round, and can move up to 15 meters per turn per “MP”
in the vehicle’s stats per round.
• The combat modifiers for vehicular units in Total Warfare and
A Time of War are technically identical, and so Total Warfare
modifiers (rather than the personal combat modifiers provided
here) apply to the Skill rolls of all vehicular units—including
Battle Armor. However, because A Time of War modifies the
roll, and not the target number (TN), all Total Warfare must
be subtracted from the roll result, rather than added
to it. (For example, a vehicular weapon firing at
long range would have a +4 TN modifier
to the warrior’s Gunnery Skill in Total
Warfare, but that becomes a –4 roll
modifier in A Time of War.)
19
TED
DETWEILER
BIO
Ted Detweiler is a long-time friend of Malcolm Brossard, and
much of his military career was served alongside him. Soon
after, the two separated paths, but when Ted decided
to retire from his mercenary life after being falsely
accused of a bank robbery, he made contact with
Malcolm again. He and Ted’s former allies have
settled down on Ormstown, where they want
for little, and until very recently, operated in
a strict advisory role only. Ted seems to relish
the opportunity to get back in the action.
NELSON
BERCHON
BIO
Berchon refers to himself as an “acquisition specialist,” but Ted
tends to tell people that he opened the kinds of doors that
aren’t opened with keys or explosives. Nelson has been a bit
bored on Ormstown, and feels his extensive talents have been
allowed to rust away. His friends tend to believe he just enjoys
hearing himself complain about life’s injustices.
A
ATTRIBUTES
Attribute
TED DETWEILER
STR
BOD
REF
DEX
Score
3
5
3
3
Attribute Score
6
INT
6
WIL
5
CHA
4
EDG
Link
Mod
+0
+0
+0
+0
TRAITS (PERSONAL)
Compulsion/Smoker: Minor addiction to smoking. Requires WIL Attribute Check (with a
+0 roll modifier) to resist lighting up under stress. After 24 hours without a smoke,
character will suffer –1 roll modifier to all Action Checks until he regains access to the
source of the addiction.
Poor Hearing (–2 TP): This character suffers a –2 modifier on all hearing-based Action
Checks, as well as a –1 modifier on Initiative rolls.
COMBAT
AT D
A
DATA
ATA
AT
TA
Condition Monitor
Standard Damage:
Fatigue Damage:
Stun:
Movement (Meters per Turn)
6
Walk:
16
Run/Evade:
32
Sprint:
Personal Armor (Loc)
Flak Jacket
Weapon
SKILLS
Skill
Career/Soldier
Language/English
Martial Arts
MedTech
Melee Weapons
Negotiations
Small Arms (Rifles)
Technician/Weapons
Throw Weapons/Explosives
ATTRIBUTES
Attribute
STR
BOD
REF
DEX
NELSON BERCHON
Link
Mod
–1
+0
–1
–1
Score
3
3
4
3
Links
INT
INT + CHA
RFL + DEX
INT
RFL + DEX
CHA
DEX
DEX + INT
DEX
Link
Mod
–1
–1
+0
–1
TN/C
7 / SB
8 / SA
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
9 / CA
7 / SB
Attribute Score
5
INT
5
WIL
7
CHA
4
EDG
LVL
+6
+4
+5
+3
+5
+3
+5(+1)
+3
+2
Link
Mod
+0
+0
+1
+0
TRAITS (PERSONAL)
Glass Jaw: A character with the Glass Jaw Trait is far more susceptible to
injury than his BOD Attribute may indicate. When sustaining injury of
any kind, a character with Glass Jaw multiplies any personal damage
sustained by 1.5 (rounding up), and multiplies any Fatigue suffered from
combat by 2.
Skill
Links
Career/Soldier
INT
Language/English
INT + CHA
Martial Arts
RFL
MedTech
INT
Melee Weapons
DEX
Negotiations
CHA
Small Arms (Rifles)
DEX
Technician/Weapons
DEX + INT
Throw Weapons/Explosives
DEX
TN/C
7 / SB
8 / SA
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
9 / CA
7 / SB
LVL
+3
+5
+2
+3
+5
+7
+3(+1)
+3
+2
5
AP /BD
Range
Ammo/Notes
Knife
1/1
Melee (1m)
Unlimited
Auto-Pistol
3/5
5m/20m/50m/120m
TK Assault Rifle
4/4
8 shots/clip (3 clips)
25m/70m/160m/410m 20 shots/clip (4 clips)
© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc. Classic BattleTech, BattleTech, ’Mech and BattleMech are trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes Production, LLC. Permission to photocopy for personal use.
COMBAT DATA
Condition Monitor
Standard Damage:
Fatigue Damage:
Stun:
Movement (Meters per Turn)
7
Walk:
17
Run/Evade:
34
Sprint:
Personal Armor (Loc)
Flak Jacket
Weapon
SKILLS
BAR
BAR
5
AP /BD
Range
Ammo/Notes
Knife
1/1
Melee (1m)
Unlimited
Club
1/1
Melee (1m)
Unlimited
Revolver
4/4
5m/20m/5m/120m
Bolt-Action Rifle
4/4
6 shots/clip (4 clips)
40m/115m/225m/500m 5 shots/clip (2 clips)
© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc. Classic BattleTech,
BattleTe
T ch, BattleTech,
Te
BattleTe
T ch, ’Mech and BattleMech are trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
Te
Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes Production, LLC. Permission to photocopy for personal use.
21
ERIK
CLIETT
BIO
A technician for longer than most people have been alive, Erik
has put Guy’s ’Mechs back in action more often than he cares to
remember (and far more often than the MechWarrior deserves). He
reminds everyone of this frequently, and at length.
GUY
BEBOUT
BIO
Guy is a crack MechWarrior, and still receives frequent requests for
him to either rejoin the LCAF, or link up with a mercenary outfit. Of
all of Ted’s friends, he seems to have taken to the retired life the best,
although he does silently crave the excitement of BattleMech combat.
A
ATTRIBUTES
Attribute
STR
BOD
REF
DEX
Score
6
5
3
5
Link
Mod
+0
+0
–1
+0
Attribute Score
6
INT
6
WIL
3
CHA
4
EDG
Link
Mod
+0
+0
–1
+0
ERIK CLIETT
TRAITS (PERSONAL)
Compulsion/Chocoholic (–2 TP): Serious addiction to all things chocolate. Requires WIL
Attribute Check (with a –2 roll modifier) to resist munching (or guzzling) some form of chocolate.
After 24 hours without his fix, character will suffer –3 roll modifier to all Action Checks until he
regains access to the source of the addiction.
Patient: A character with the Patient Trait has better focus and self-control, even under pressure.
This Trait provides a +1 modifier to all Complex Skill or Attribute Checks, and may double the
bonus modifiers for taking extra time on any complex task (such as use of a Technician Skill).
SKILLS
Skill
Links
Career/Soldier
INT
Language/English
INT + CHA
Martial Arts
RFL + DEX
MedTech
INT
Melee Weapons
RFL
Negotiations
CHA
Small Arms (Rifles)
DEX
Technician/Weapons
DEX + INT
Throw Weapons/Explosives
DEX
ATTRIBUTES
Attribute
GUY BEBOUT
STR
BOD
REF
DEX
Score
4
6
4
4
Link
Mod
+0
+0
+0
+0
TN/C
7 / SB
8 / SA
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
9 / CA
7 / SB
Attribute Score
4
INT
5
WIL
3
CHA
4
EDG
LVL
+4
+4
+6
+3
+3
+1
+5(+1)
+8
+2
Link
Mod
+0
+0
–1
+0
TRAITS (PERSONAL)
Compulsion/Alcohol: Minor addiction to alcohol. Requires WIL Attribute Check (with a +0 roll
modifier) to resist drinking under stress. After 24 hours without any alcohol, character will suffer
–1 roll modifier to all Action Checks until he regains access to the source of the addiction.
Glass Jaw: A character with the Glass Jaw Trait is far more susceptible to injury than his BOD
Attribute may indicate. When sustaining injury of any kind, a character with Glass Jaw multiplies
any personal damage sustained by 1.5 (rounding up), and multiplies any Fatigue suffered from
combat by 2.
SKILLS
Skill
Links
Career/Soldier
INT
Gunnery/’Mech
RFL + DEX
Language/English
INT + CHA
Martial Arts
RFL
MedTech
INT
Melee Weapons
RFL
Negotiations
CHA
Piloting/’Mech
RFL + DEX
Small Arms
DEX
Technician/Weapons
DEX + INT
Thrown Weapons/Explosives DEX
TN/C
7 / SB
8 / SA
8 / SA
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
7 / SB
8 / SA
7 / SB
9 / CA
7 / SB
LVL
+3
+7
+3
+3
+1
+2
+1
+6
+4
+2
+2
COMBAT
AT D
A
DATA
ATA
AT
TA
Condition Monitor
Standard Damage:
Fatigue Damage:
Stun:
Movement (Meters per Turn)
9
Walk:
19
Run/Evade:
38
Sprint:
Personal Armor (Loc)
Flak Jacket
Weapon
BAR
5
AP /BD
Range
Ammo/Notes
Knife
1/1
Melee (1m)
Unlimited
Pump Shotgun
1/6
4m/10m/20m/45m
6 shots/clip (2 clips)
© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc. Classic BattleTech, BattleTech, ’Mech and BattleMech are trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes Production, LLC. Permission to photocopy for personal use.
COMBAT DATA
Condition Monitor
Standard Damage:
Fatigue Damage:
Stun:
Movement (Meters per Turn)
8
Walk:
18
Run/Evade:
36
Sprint:
Personal Armor (Loc)
Flak Jacket
Weapon
BAR
5
AP /BD
Range
Ammo/Notes
Knife (x2)
1/1
Melee (1m)
Unlimited
Auto-Pistol
3/4
50m/20m/45m/105m
10 shots/clip (3 clips)
© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc. Classic BattleTech,
BattleTe
T ch, BattleTech,
Te
BattleTe
T ch, ’Mech and BattleMech are trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
Te
Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes Production, LLC. Permission to photocopy for personal use.
COMBAT MODIFIERS TABLE
BASIC COMBAT TARGET NUMBERS
Combat Action Check
Target Number (TN)
Ranged Attack
Appropriate ranged weapon Skill TN
Melee Weapons Attack (and Defense)
Appropriate melee weapon Skill TN
Martial Arts Attack (and Defense)
Martial Arts Skill TN
Basic Action Check Rolls
Action Check
Dice Roll
Basic Action Checks (Attribute or Skill)
2D6
Base Target Numbers
Action Check Type
BASIC COMBAT MODIFIERS
Roll Modifier
Conditional Modifiers
Range (Ranged Combat Only)
Point-Blank Range
+1
Short Range
+0
Medium Range
–2
Long Range
–4
Extreme Range
–6
Cover (Ranged Combat Only)
Light Cover (Target 5–25% concealed)
–1
Moderate Cover (Target 26–50% concealed)
–2
Heavy Cover (Target is 51–75% concealed)
–3
Full Cover (Target is 76–100% concealed)
–4
Other Characters in Line of Fire
–1
Target Size (Ranged and Melee Combat)
Monstrous (Ex: Whale, DropShip)
+5
Very Large (Ex: Elephant, BattleMech)
+3
Large (Ex: Horse, battle armor, ground car)
+1
Medium (Ex: Adult human, refrigerator)
+0
Small (Ex: Young child, coffee table)
–1
Very Small (Ex: Dog, desktop computer)
–2
Extremely Small (Ex: Cat, book)
–3
Tiny (Ex: Mouse, micro-communicator)
–4
Movement (Ranged and Melee Combat)
Attacker Walking
–1
Attacker Running/Crawling/Swimming
–2
Attacker Jumping/Gliding/Flying
–3
Target Moved 10–45 meters
–1
Target Moved 46–75 meters
–2
Target Moved 76–105 meters
–3
Target Moved 106–150 meters
–4
Target Moved 151+ meters
–5
Target Evading
–(Target’s Acrobatics Skill)
Target Jumping/Gliding/Flying
–2
Target Crawling/Prone
–1
Target Immobile
+4
Attacker Actions/Conditions (Ranged and Melee Combat)
Attacker Fatigued (see Damage Effects)
–(Fatigue points – WIL)*
–(Injury Modifier, see
Attacker Injured (see Damage Effects)
p. 16)
Miscellaneous Conditions (Ranged and Melee Combat)
Target Stunned/Surprised
+2
Attacking from Behind
+1
Using “Off Hand”
–1
Additional Melee Combat Modifiers (Melee Combat Only)
Attacker Stunned/Surprised
–6
Friendly Character in Melee with Target
+2
Crawling/Prone Target in Melee Range
+2
Using Ranged Weapon in Melee Combat
–2
Attempting to Grapple (Attacker Only)
–1
Grappling Attacker vs. Grappled Target
+2**
Grappled Target vs. Grappling Attacker
+1**
*If Fatigue is less than WIL, no modifier applies
**Only applicable after a Grapple attack succeeds
23
BASIC ACTION CHECK TABLE
Skill Check
Base TN
See Character Samples
Attribute Check (Single Attribute)
14
Attribute Check (Double Attribute)
21
ACTION COMPLEXITY
Incidental Actions
Non-Movement
Drop Object
Drop Prone
Gesture
Melee Defense (except Breaking Grapple)
Observe (Quickly)
Speak (Single Word)
Movement
No Movement
Walking
Simple Actions
Non-Movement
Jumping/Leaping
Lead Team
Load Weapon
Melee Attack
Melee Defense (Breaking Grapple)
Observe in Detail (Perception Skill)
Pick Up/Put Down Object
Ranged Attack
Ready/Draw Non-Crewed Weapon/Small
Equipment
Recover from Stun
Speak (Brief Phrase)
Stand Up
Stow/Sheath Equipment
Use Simple Object
Use Simple Skill (Trained)
Movement
Climbing (with Climbing Skill)
Crawling
Running
Swimming (with Swimming Skill)
Complex Actions
Non-Movement
Careful Aim
Extinguish Fire
Ready Large Equipment/Crewed Weapon
Recover Fatigue
Speak (Conversation)
Spot for Indirect Fire
Use Complex Object
Use Complex Skill
Use Untrained Skill
Movement
Climbing (without Climbing Skill)
Evading
Sprinting
Swimming (without Swimming Skill)
ACTION CHECK
MODIFIERS TABLE
Attribute Check Modifiers
(Attribute Checks only)
Single Attribute
Double Attribute
Roll Modifier
+Attribute Score
+Sum of Both Attribute
Scores
Skill Check Modifiers
(Skill Checks only)
Roll Modifier
All Skill Checks
+Skill Level
Link Attribute Value*
1
–2
2–3
–1
4–6
+0
7–9
+1
10
+2
Action Difficulty
and Special Conditions
Roll Modifier
General Action Difficulty (All Checks)
Very Easy
+3
Easy
+1
Average
+0
Difficult
–1
Very Difficult
–3
Extremely Difficult
–5
Vision-based Action Checks (Perception Skill)**
Target at Point-Blank
Range (less than 1
+1
meter)
Target at Short Range
+0
(1 to 300 meters)
Target is at Medium
Range (301 to 600
–2
meters)
Target is at Long Range
–4
(601 to 900 meters)
Target at Extreme Range
–6
(over 900 meters)
Miscellaneous Conditions (All Checks)
Character is Injured
–(Injury Modifier, see p. 16)
–(Fatigue Points – WIL,
Character is Fatigued
minimum 0)
*For simplicity, any relevant Link Attribute Modifiers that apply to
the sample characters in these Quick-Start Rules have been
automatically added to the sample characters’ Skill Levels.
**Applies primarily to Perception Skill Checks (other affected
actions are at the GM’s discretion). General Action Difficulty
and Miscellaneous Conditions modifiers (for darkness, concealment, and so forth) may also apply.
25
SWIFT PLANS
Brossard Manor
Champs-sur-Abondant
Ormstown, Kaumberg Archonnette
11 February 3073
MISSION BRIEF
The Mair have been acting up lately, throwin’ their weight
around. Had their way with young Mel Brossard the other day.
That won’t do. So, old man Malcolm Brossard took the lads and is
out busting up their operations with his size twelve.
It’s a coincidence that the Mair just happen to have most of
their mooks on hand to mount an assault on the Manor. Almost
as if they withdrew ’em all from the mines and stills, knowing that
all of those would be getting hit right about now, for a nice punch
to the throat at the Manor. Doesn’t at all mean we worry ourselves
about a traitor.
Here’s the plan. We basically run this like the op on La Grave.
Yes, that was a horrible plan, but we make it work this time. Most
of those Mair boys are dumber than a box of inbred rocks, and
we just happen to have a stripped down Powerman over in the
warehouse. I’m thinking Hunchback.
I just sent the last couple of guys to delay the oncoming
column of Mair scum. Right now those’re just mucking about
blowing holes in the lumber mill, but whatever time the boys
buy might give us enough time to get that LoaderMech in shape
for the big show.
ASSETS
Four veterans of a half-dozen battles (and far more clandestine
missions) for the Lyran armed forces. They’ve seen better days, but
when you live in the boonies, what do you expect?
OPPOSITION
The Mair family has mobilized a meaty chunk of muscle,
dragging some wankers all the way down from the Crosse Hills.
Lots of shotguns, rifles and attitude. They’ve moved most of
them forward with a collection of small trucks, cars and trailers,
and they are currently blowing a metric ton or two of ammo
through the Greaves Lumber Mill up the road. They could have
just set fire to the place, but initial reports indicate they’re all
thoroughly hydrated with some of Crosse’s finest spirits…those
lucky bastards.
TACTICAL ANALYSIS
We’re unlikely to muster enough firepower to outright defeat
them. But if we can turn that half-junked Powerman in to
something that at least looks mean and vicious, we might just take
the fight right out of them.
OBJECTIVES
1. Defend the Manor. Even if the old man puts every Mair shithole he can reach to the torch, losing the manor to ’em would
still irrevocably shift the balance of power in favor of House
Mair. It’ll be the 3040s all over again, and unfortunately,
Momma Mair doesn’t have “Fast” Freddy Mair to beat some
sense in to her this time. There’s simply not enough time to
evacuate all the money and destroy all the documents. Even
if we burn the place to the ground now, the Mair win.
2. Get the Powerman up and running. A good ol’-fashioned
SRM-fueled ambush might take the wind out of Mair’s sails,
but a BattleMech belching flame, death and despair is still
the most likely tool to cause desertion—beyond stealing
their payroll.
3. Steal their payroll. That was a good idea, actually! Probably
no way to pull that off without more time, but it all starts with
a to-do list.
MISSION
SUCCESS
CONDITIONS
Objective 1 MUST be completed for the mission to be successful.
Losing a single team member is considered acceptable. Losing
two or more is considered a failure.
SWIFT PLANS
ENEMIES
For as long as anyone can remember, the Brossard family and
the Mair family on Ormstown have been feuding for reasons only
they (might) fully understand. This time—taking advantage of
the absence of the Brossards’ patriarchs absence—the Mair have
decided to go for broke and flatten their ages-old enemy once
and for all. All that really stands in their way are some old LCAF
veterans (the player characters), who happen to consider the
Brossards’ landhold “home.”
The bulk of the Mair force consists of thugs and malcontents
from many segments of Ormstown’s 100,000-strong population.
Using Thug NPCs (see p. 337, AToW) for the bulk of them would
be adequate. They number about a hundred or so in strength,
about the equivalent of four platoons of infantry should you
elect to use BattleTech to resolve an actual engagement with the
modified Powerman.
You may also elect to use the sample data provided here for
the bulk of the opposition, bumping skills by +2 across the board
when encountering a more competent Mair henchman.
SPRUCING UP THE POWERMAN
The Powerman LoaderMech starts out with no weaponry, and
has even been stripped of its usual lift hoist equipment. Some
weapons can be found around the manor, or acquired through
other means. Once acquired, they can then be installed. ’Mech
Customization is fully described on p.189 of Strategic Operations, but the below rules and modifiers presume that facilities
adequate to perform Maintenance-level Customization is
possible at the Manor, and indicates the appropriate time and
modifier to apply to the skill check to resolve. Use the Powerman Configuration Table to resolve any skill checks for the most
“doable” modifications.
Time Needed refers to the time needed to complete the install.
This time can be cut in half with a Rush Job, which adds a –1
modifier. Rushing in this way can be done three times, for a total
modifier of –3, and allowing the install to happen at one-eighth
the indicated time, so 30 minutes for the Medium Rifle and 15
minutes for the Machine Gun and Rivet Gun.
Diagnose is the modifier to the skill check needed to correctly
estimate the required install time. Double the estimate if this
check fails. Diagnosing is a Complex action.
Install is the modifier that applies to doing the installation of
the weapon, and does not include modifiers due to Rush Jobs. A
27
failure at this Skill Check means the weapon is installed, but not
functional.
Initially, it is estimated that two hours are available prior to
the arrival of the Mair pack. This number can be increased or
decreased to reflect the GM’s needs, but as a starting figure will
inspire some hard decisions to be made.
POWERMAN CONFIGURATION TABLE
Weapon
(Suggested Location)
Medium Rifle (RT)
Machine Gun (RA)
Rivet Gun (LA)
Paint Scheme
Cosmetic “Upgrades”
Time Needed
240
120
120
60
30
Diagnose
–2
–2
–1
–1
0
Install
–4
–3
–3
+2
+1
Additional Notes
Each task requires the dedicated attention of a single technician (or character).
The Medium Rifle is stationed as a Field Gun outside Brossard
Manor, and is normally pointed at the Mair landhold.
The Machine Gun can be acquired from Handsome Pete, see
below.
The Rivet Gun can be found in the Brossard Manor warehouse,
if 30 minutes are spent searching, and a Perception Skill Check is
made. Subtract 5 minutes for every 2 points of MoS, to a minimum
of 10 minutes of search time.
A ton of ammunition for each of the installable weapons will be
located along with the weapon itself. Successfully installing each
weapon also successfully installs the ton of ammunition
The paint scheme will resemble that of the Kirkpatrick’s Pack,
a mercenary force from nearby Kaumberg, and the only ’Mech
unit to have been seen on Ormstown in decades. This is handy,
because the warehouse contains plenty of gray paint, and just
enough red to count as the “highlights” the Pack uses as its parade
scheme.
Cosmetic “Upgrades”—made possible by a handy amount
of sheet metal and wood suitable for framing work in the
warehouse—will further enhance the “realism” of making the
LoaderMech resemble a true BattleMech. Searching for this material is automatically successful.
In addition to the above, the players will find two standard,
two-shot, man-portable SRM launchers in the manor’s armory if
they think to look for it. These weapons have the following stats:
SRM LAUNCHER
Weapon
SRM Launcher (Standard)
AP/BD
6/12*
Range
60/225/425/740
Ammo/Notes
2 shots/Encumbering Weapon
*This damage affects the target, and radiates outward for 6 meters, reducing its affect by –1 AP and –2 BD per meter
HANDSOME PETE
“Handsome” Pete Carpenter is one of several arms dealers on
Ormstown, and claims to have fought against the Capellans, the
Taurians, and three different Clans. Like most arms dealers, he
profits from any scuffles between the Brossard, Mair, and the other
lesser families on Ormstown. Still, his gift for smooth talk and his
well-developed sense of humor make him a preferred supplier.
Handsome Pete is known to have a military grade machine
gun, which would come in quite handy. Travelling to him with
a box truck to pick up the weapon and ammo would likely take
about an hour of travel time, plus the time it would take to talk
Handsome out of a donation. No one on the team knows the
combination to Brossard’s vault, and he’s quite out of radio
range. No one has 5,000 C-bills on hand, and even if they did,
Pete is asking for 100,000.
The objective will be to talk Pete out of his possession. If doing
so through an opposed Negotiations skill check, consider Pete’s
skill to be a +5, and benefitting from an additional +1 CHA Link
Attribute bonus. It may be entertaining to have the player engage
the GM verbally prior to rolling, and assessing a +1 or –1 modifier
to the roll based on how well (or poorly) he did in that exchange.
The second way to part Pete with his “Game-Changer,” as he
refers to it, is through brute force. Pete is only average with a
pistol, but his three bodyguards should be treated as Mair Henchmen, skill-wise. Pete normally only has one bouncer, but he has
apparently improved security after the start of the most recent
flare-up.
AMBUSH
It’s possible the players elect to ignore the Powerman and
attempt to create their own ambush. This will not succeed, and it
should be obvious when they try. The Mair goons are advancing
(eventually) in a convoy of vehicles, with anywhere from two to
six per vehicle. Using the SRM to take a vehicle out will be successful in delaying the convoy further, especially when combined
with prodigious suppression fire. Holding a line is out of the question. For one, their numbers will allow them to push through, for
another, the skilled Mair enforcers and lieutenants are capable of
rallying enough of the troops to make a more tactical attack. If
they merely execute an ambush as a delaying tactic, they will succeed in gaining 1 hour for the Powerman upgrade.
SHOWDOWN
It may be entertaining to have the Powerman and the Mair
battle it out in a BattleTech game, but an alternative method is to
apply several related Skill Checks.
The goal is to break the morale of approaching Mair troops.
This is achieved if they fail a Morale check (see also p.210, Tactical
Operations) with the following modifications:
The Mair troops are each to be considered Regular for purposes
of Morale, though Green for purposes of Gunnery. This gives them
a base 6 on 2d6 to succeed, and they must check every time one of
their “platoons” has lost 25% or more of the platoon’s total troops
at the start of that turn. Apply a –1 modifier if the Powerman has
been painted up in Kirkpatrick’s Pack colors, and an additional
–1 modifier if the Powerman has been the recipient of cosmetic
upgrades. Mair infantry must also make a morale check every turn
they have lost troops to the Medium Rifle.
When using BattleTech to resolve this situation, the area around
Brossard Manor is fairly densely forested, but the road runs
through an open field. Do not neglect the double-damage modifier for firing at infantry in open terrain, and likewise do not forget
that the Powerman has merely BAR 5 armor.
Once a Mair platoon has had its morale broken, it will not return
to battle. Once all four Mair platoons have had their morale broken, the Mansion can be considered safe.
AMPING IT UP
You may decide to make this scenario more challenging, either
by improving the skills and attributes of those present, or by having additional guards at Pete’s.
There clearly is a spy among the Brossard, feeding the Mair
information that allowed them to set up this attack in the first
place. Finding said spy may be to the best interest of the team,
especially if said spy has a means of contacting the Mair about
everything the team is up to. The spy can be a member of the staff
at the Manor (Gardner, cook, cleaner, accountant/handyman) or
even one of the players. Making a player the traitor will drastically
change the mission, and will require some coaching to avoid the
traitor from merely killing off his team members. If you’re unsure
of your players, this option is best avoided, but otherwise, the
motivation of the traitor might still leave him with the rational
impression that his ancient compatriots won’t be killed off once
Mair wins, but merely left to walk away empty-handed. The traitor
naturally would be rewarded handsomely for his efforts.
Last, but not least: the Mair may be turned away initially, but
could field another push before Brossard returns. Actually stealing
whatever the Mair are using to pay their recent “hires” can be an
excellent way to turn their thugs against the Mair. This will require
stealing it from the Mair mansion, or from their favored bank, possibly by using the Powerman.
Suggestions
Give the players some time to explore and define a plan.
They’re well aware of the cannon outside (a Medium Rifle, left
over from the pirate wars of 2413, and now fired annually on
the local Founding Day—3 July—with a 21-round salute), but
the other two options will require them to think to either search
in the warehouse (cluttered with copious amounts of materials
and items) or to see if any weaponry might be available off-site
(Pete’s). This mission should ideally not involve too much direct
action, but opportunities do exist. Try to encourage the team to
work together towards the same goal, rather than splitting up.
TM
ARMOR DIAGRAM
Head (2)
Left Torso
(8)
Right Torso
(8)
INDUSTRIALMECH RECORD SHEET
'MECH DATA
WARRIOR DATA
Type: SC POWERMAN LOADERMECH (SALVAGE)
Movement Points:
4
Walking:
6
Running:
Jumping: 0
Tonnage: 35
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Era:
Loc Ht
Dmg
Gunnery Skill:
Piloting Skill:
Hits Taken 1
Consciousness# 3
2
5
3
7
4 5 6
10 11 Dead
Succession Wars
Weapons & Equipment Inventory
Qty Type
Name:
(hexes)
Min Sht Med Lng
Center
Torso
(12)
Left Arm
(5)
Right Arm
(5)
BAR 5
Left
Leg
(5)
Right
Leg
(5)
Center
Torso
Rear (2)
Notes: 10.5 tons unused. No installed heat sinks.
CRITICAL HIT TABLE
1-3
4-6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Shoulder
Upper Arm Actuator
Lower Arm Actuator
Hand Actuator
4-6
Life Support
Sensors
Industrial Cockpit
Sensors
Life Support
Center Torso
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1-3
Left Torso
1-3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
4-6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
ICE Engine
ICE Engine
ICE Engine
Gyro
Gyro
Gyro
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Gyro
ICE Engine
ICE Engine
ICE Engine
Engine Hits
Gyro Hits
Sensor Hits
Life Support
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Left Leg
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Torso Rear
Right
(2)
(2)
INTERNAL STRUCTURE DIAGRAM
Head
Left Arm
Left
Torso Rear
Right Arm
1.
2.
3.
1-3 4.
5.
6.
Shoulder
Upper Arm Actuator
Lower Arm Actuator
Hand Actuator
Damage Transfer
Diagram
30*
29
28*
Left
Arm
(6)
Right
Arm
(6)
Center
Torso
(11)
Right Torso
1.
2.
3.
1-3 4.
5.
6.
Right
Leg
(8)
24*
21
20*
19*
18*
17*
16
HEAT DATA
Hip
Upper Leg Actuator
Lower Leg Actuator
Foot Actuator
25*
22*
Left
Leg
(8)
Heat
Level*
30
28
26
25
24
23
22
20
19
18
17
15
14
13
10
8
5
26*
23*
Industrial
1.
2.
3.
4-6 4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Overflow
Right Torso (8)
27
1.
2.
3.
4-6 4.
5.
6.
Right Leg
Hip
Upper Leg Actuator
Lower Leg Actuator
Foot Actuator
Head
Left Torso (8)
Heat
Scale
15*
Heat Sinks:
Effects
Shutdown
Ammo Exp. avoid on 8+
Shutdown, avoid on 10+
–5 Movement Points
+4 Modifier to Fire
Ammo Exp. avoid on 6+
Shutdown, avoid on 8+
–4 Movement Points
Ammo Exp. avoid on 4+
Shutdown, avoid on 6+
+3 Modifier to Fire
–3 Movement Points
Shutdown, avoid on 4+
+2 Modifier to Fire
–2 Movement Points
+1 Modifier to Fire
–1 Movement Points
Single
14*
13*
12
11
10*
9
8*
7
6
5*
4
3
2
1
0
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